It wasn’t a vintage performance from Otto Addo’s men, but it was one built on control, discipline, and a crucial touch of quality when it mattered most.
The opening half offered little in the way of entertainment, with both sides struggling to create clear chances.
Comoros, who had beaten Ghana in the reverse fixture, started brightly and came close in the early minutes when goalkeeper Benjamin Asare misjudged a cross, only to be spared as the resulting header drifted wide.
Ghana, needing only a point to confirm qualification, were cautious but composed. Their best moment came when Jordan Ayew produced a fine solo run, beating three defenders before dinking a cross into the box, yet no Ghanaian shirt was on hand to apply the finish.
As the whistle blew for half-time, the game remained goalless, but results elsewhere provided comfort as Mali led Madagascar 2-0, ensuring Ghana’s top spot in Group I remained secure.
The Black Stars emerged from the break with renewed purpose, pushing higher and committing more men forward.
Their intent paid off almost immediately. Just two minutes into the second half, Mohammed Salisu whipped in a teasing cross from the left that found Thomas Partey inside the box. The midfielder showed composure to square the ball for Mohammed Kudus, who tapped home into an empty net to give Ghana the all-important lead.
From there, Ghana managed the game expertly, maintaining possession and limiting Comoros to half-chances. The defence, marshalled by Salisu and Djiku, stood firm as Addo’s side kept their shape and slowed the tempo whenever needed.
When the final whistle blew, it sparked scenes of relief and celebration inside the Accra Sports Stadium.
The 1-0 win may not have been emphatic, but it was enough to confirm Ghana’s place at the 2026 World Cup, continuing their proud tradition on the global stage.
Ghana qualify for a fifth World Cup
The Black Stars have now sealed qualification for their fifth FIFA World Cup, continuing a proud legacy that began nearly two decades ago.
Ghana made their debut appearance in 2006 in Germany, where a golden generation featuring Stephen Appiah, Michael Essien, and Asamoah Gyan stunned the world by advancing to the Round of 16.
They were the only African team to progress from the group that year, defeating the Czech Republic and the United States before bowing out to Brazil.
Four years later, at South Africa 2010, the Black Stars went one better by reaching the quarter-finals and coming agonisingly close to history.
In one of the most dramatic moments in World Cup history, Ghana were denied a semi-final place by Uruguay after Asamoah Gyan’s last-minute penalty struck the crossbar following Luis Suárez’s infamous handball.
The 2014 tournament in Brazil was a stark contrast with a campaign marred by off-field issues, including disputes over player bonuses.
Ghana exited at the group stage, managing just one point and leaving fans disappointed after such high expectations.
The road to Russia 2018 proved even tougher, with Ghana missing out on qualification altogether, ending a run of three straight appearances.
However, the Black Stars returned to the global stage at Qatar 2022, where they showed flashes of quality, notably defeating South Korea, but once again fell short in the group stage.
Now, by booking their ticket to the 2026 World Cup, Ghana will look to restore their reputation among the elite of world football.
Addo becomes first coach to send Ghana to two World Cups
With this latest achievement, Otto Addo has written his name into Ghanaian football history by becoming the first coach to qualify the Black Stars for two FIFA World Cups.
His success continues a proud lineage of managers who have guided Ghana to football’s biggest stage. Ghana’s World Cup journey began in 2006 under the guidance of Ratomir Dujkovic, the Serbian tactician who masterminded the nation’s debut qualification.
Dujkovic built a disciplined and fearless side that shocked many by advancing to the Round of 16 in Germany.
Four years later, another Serbian, Milovan Rajevac, took charge and steered Ghana to their best-ever World Cup performance at South Africa 2010. His well-organised team featuring Asamoah Gyan, Andre Ayew, and Kevin-Prince Boateng reached the quarter-finals, narrowly missing out on a historic semi-final place after that unforgettable clash with Uruguay.
In 2014, Kwesi Appiah made history of his own by becoming the first Ghanaian coach to qualify the national team for a World Cup.
Then came Otto Addo, who first guided Ghana to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, stepping up from a talent-scouting role to interim head coach during a period of transition. Under immense pressure, Addo led Ghana to a dramatic playoff victory over Nigeria, sealing qualification in Abuja.
Two years later, he has done it again, this time with a more settled squad, clearer tactical identity, and growing confidence. Back-to-back World Cups mark steady progress made by a young team in transition, and the challenge will be to perform better at the tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
